What Exotic Animals Are Legal In California

Melissa cares for a variety of exotic animals and has completed a certificate in veterinary assisting and a bachelor'southward degree in biology.

Any questions about pet legality in California should exist posed instead every bit 'what animals are legal?'

Lisette Verwoerd

Always do your research before acquiring any uncommon pet that some lawmaker might decide is a threat to the environs, human health, or the beast itself.

Simply put, if you want an exotic pet mammal, stay out of California. California is known amid ferret enthusiasts for being one of two states that has an unshakable ban placed on owning these elongated carnivores. In fact, any questions about pet legality in the country should exist posed 'what animals are legal?' instead of 'is this fauna legal?'

(CC Past-SA iii.0) Leekimbud

1. Hybrid Cats

These exotic pets which are actually technically domesticated—possibly more and so than a mutual non-pedigree cat—are legal in most states depending on their percentage of so-called wild genetics. Hybrid cats consist of the breeds Savannah cat (serval hybrid), Bengal cat (Asian Leopard Cat hybrid) and the jungle cat hybrid. None of these hybrids are mixed with so-called big cats, and all are not big plenty to desire to casualty on humans.

Withal, hybrid cats deport a large stigma. In California, all generation hybrid cats are legal. This rule is much ameliorate than in states like New York, which only allow F5 and nether. These restrictions are hypocritical under whatever reason, as 'regular' cats can and have attacked humans, have become a serious ecology threat (mainly because people tirelessly button to prevent controlling feral populations and stopping the free-roaming cat civilisation), and they have the same exact needs as then-chosen wildlife.

2. Zebras

The California ordinance states that all members of the family unit Equidae are non restricted. Therefore, provided they are not prohibited by some other ordinance, this would make zebras, wild horses and donkeys, and any hybrids of those legal. Zebras are non equally shocking to own every bit you might think and are sometimes maintained like typical livestock. They do spook more hands than horses and donkeys and require an experienced trainer should anyone desire to ride them. The idea of riding zebras has been popularized by the children's motion-picture show Racing Stripes. Pet zebras are more usually and reasonably owned as pets that are interesting to watch.

(CC By-SA two.0) nur_h

iii. Monitor Lizards

Despite being a country with pathetic laws banning hedgehogs and ferrets, reptile laws are surprisingly lax aside from venomous reptiles. Monitor lizards range from the small and personable acanthurus monitors which brand excellent pets, to the large and intimidating Asian water monitors that are all-time suited for experienced owners. Crocodile monitors are another species notorious for their bad bites that tin can cause serious reactions from bacterial agents and/or venom in saliva. One owner describes a reaction from a bite:

"The bite itself hurt no more than than any other monitor bite it simply bled more. Within v minutes of the bite, I felt myself going slightly in to stupor and this result in me throwing up (sorry for graphic particular!). I felt very shot away for the following hr (not helped admittedly by being hypo glycaemic). The swelling came up over an hour or so and a called-for sensation started 30 mins or then afterward the bite. Several hours afterward the bite, the swelling had go then severe I had lost dexterity in my thumb and the two closest fingers and the joins had go very painful."

Nigh other non-native lizards are legal, besides. Crocodilians are non.

Kabsik Park (CC Past ii.0)

four. American Bison

Another case of culling livestock not banned on ordinance §671 is the American bison. These are large and powerful animals that aren't so tame but are ofttimes seen as farm animals utilized for meat and fur production. It is unclear if a permit is required for possessing bison that are only provided for agricultural purposes, which would not make them legal as pets.

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Mariomassone (CC Past-SA iii.0)

v. 2nd Generation 'Wolfdogs'

Wolfdogs, too referred to as wolf hybrids, are confusing to define. Near all wolves in captivity possess the genetics of domesticated dogs to some degree and tin can be considered 'wolfdogs' outside of species survival programs. In add-on, wolves that have been bred in captivity for generations as pets are actually on the path to domestication themselves...this tin make them similar to dogs (domesticated dogs probable descend from an extinct close ancestor to modern wolves). Many zoos, including those which are accredited by the AZA, display what are actually 'high content wolfdogs'.

In California, wolfdogs that are F3 and less (F4, F5, ect.) are legal. This ways that the 'wolf', most probable a high-content wolfdog simply indistinguishable to nigh in looks and behavior, is the great grandparent to the offspring. These animals are notwithstanding striking to the general public and are actually probable to be more problematic than loftier content/ 'pure' wolves due to their mixed bag of genetics making them less anticipated. With such an identity crunch, information technology's a shame these mixes are the merely choice people take to ain a legal wolfdog.

Amit Chattopadhyay (CC BY 2.0) Via Flickr

6. Big Constrictor Snakes

Some of the largest snakes in the world that possess the chapters to impale an adult human (although actual occurrences of this are rare) appear to be legal in California as they are non named on the prohibited reptile list, different venomous snakes and crocodilians. This includes the Burmese python, reticulated python, and light-green anaconda. These snakes are also unfortunately listed on the Lacey Act as injurious species, pregnant they can be endemic but cannot be brought over country lines. The boa constrictor is a less large species that is non on the Lacey Act and is legal in California.

William Warby (CC By ii.0)

7. Toucans

Near birds are also legal in California. The only illegal parrot is the invasive monk parakeet (or Quaker parrot). Corvids such equally crows and magpies are illegal, besides equally birds of prey (falcons, hawks, eagles) and vultures. Mynah birds, known for their incredible ability to mimic human speech, are illegal except for the species loma mynah and Rothchild's mynah. Other interesting species such every bit toucans, exotic pigeons, and hornbills are legal then those interested in aviculture tin can do and then and bask the spoils of Napa Valley or giant red woods forests.

Ed Bierman (CC By ii.0) Via Flickr

eight. Camels

Several ungulate species are legal in California, although most are really domesticated fifty-fifty though they are considered 'exotic'. They include the water buffalo, yaks, pot-bellied pigs, alpaca, and llamas.

Ronnie MacDonald (CC BY 2.0)

nine. Ostrich

Ratites are a group of large flightless birds that includes ostrich, emus, rhea, and cassowary, the latter being a species that is more dangerous and likely to attack than most of the illegal mammals. Ostrich are sometimes kept for pleasure only are often considered culling livestock raised for their meat.

David Boté Estrada (CC By-SA two.0)

10. Tarantulas

Venomous arthropods similar scorpions and tarantulas are also legal to go on in CA, equally they probably are in all states except Hawaii.

This article is accurate and true to the all-time of the author's knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, handling, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Questions & Answers

Question: Can i legally ain a peacock/peahen in the state of California?

Reply: Yep, they are legal in all 50 states.

Question: Can you lot ain a lynx in California?

Answer: No exotic cats of any kind are legal except for certain domesticated hybrids.

Question: Can I own a reddish fox?

Answer: Not in California, you can't.

Question: Tin y'all own a pet alligator or crocodile in California ?

Answer: No.

Question: What reptiles are legal in California?

Answer: Non-venomous reptiles are legal.

Question: Is this listing up to date? I know people in California who take hybrid cats, monitor lizards, wolfdogs, large constrictors, and tarantulas.

Answer: Those animals are legal in CA.

Question: Can I own an elephant in California?

Answer: No, you can't own an elephant in California.

Question: Are jellyfish legal to own in California?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is there whatsoever way I tin go along a capuchin in California if I have a degree in Primatology?

Answer: They only give permits to exhibitors if they have a ton of experience. Get experience professionally with capuchins and get a permit for educational activity.

Question: If I live in California can I own a monkey?

Answer: No.

Question: I live in California. Tin I ain a Jackrabbit? Even if he was rescued from a structure site and nursed back to health?

Answer: No. You lot must bring it to a licensed wildlife rehabber.

Question: I read on some other site that fennec foxes are legal to own in California. Is this truthful?

Answer: No.

Question: If I alive in California, can I own a pet salamander?

Respond: Yes, most reptiles and amphibians are legal in California.

Question: Can I legally own a llama in California?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Are toucans legal to own in California?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is in that location any type of owl that is legal to ain in California?

Answer: All owls are banned in California. Falconry is probably the only fashion. The rules for obtaining a falconry allow are very extensive, though.

Question: in California can I legally ain a king cobra?

Answer: No, y'all cannot.

Question: If I live in California tin can I own a Zebra finch?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Can you own a Dik-Dik in California?

Answer: No, ane tin non own a Dik-Dik in CA.

Question: If I live in California can I own a Tenrec?

Respond: No.

Question: Can you lot proceed a bat as a pet in California?

Answer: No.

Question: Are fennec foxes legal in California?

Answer: No foxes are legal in California.

Question: If I live in California, tin can I own a Chinese H2o Dragon?

Respond: Yes.

Question: My friend got a wolf pup. Are they legal?

Answer: I retrieve so. Wolfdogs are legal in CA and that's most likely what any 'wolf' would exist if a non-zoo affiliated person bought i.

Question: Is it okay to own a saccharide glider in California if purchased and driven in from another state?

Answer: No, you cannot bring banned animals in from other states.

Question: Can you lot own a raccoon in California?

Answer: Absolutely not.

Question: Can you own a bushbaby as a pet in California?

Answer: No.

Question: If I live in California can I own a raccoon?

Answer: No.

Question: How may I legalize my parrot Amazona?

Answer: They are already legal.

Question: If I alive in California can I take a chameleon as a pet?

Answer: Yeah.

Question: I live in California, so tin I ain a chetah?

Answer: No, large cats are illegal in most states, and California bans virtually exotic pets that aren't reptiles and birds.

Question: Is information technology legal to own an armadillo?

Reply: Not in CA.

Question: I live in California. Can I own a chimpanzee?

Answer: No one can own chimps anymore. In California, most exotic mammals are illegal, including ferrets.

Question: If I live in California tin can I own a Leser Tenrec?

Answer: No, in California y'all cannot own either a Leser Tenrec nor a hedgehog.

Question: If I live in California tin can I ain an otter?

Answer: No, ferrets aren't even allowed in California without a very difficult to obtain a let, the kind given but to exhibitors or breeders or those working in education or science.

Question: If I live in California, can I ain a pygmy marmoset?

Answer: No, California has extremely restrictive laws on exotic mammals.

Question: If I live in California, can I ain a Parrotlet?

Answer: Aye.

Question: Are peacocks allowed as a personal pets in the state of California?

Answer: Yes.

Question: If I live in California, tin can I own a potbelly big?

Respond: Yes, but cheque your metropolis rules.

Question: Can I own a mink in California?

Answer: No, you cannot.

Question: Are ferrets allows in California?

Answer: No, although many people take them.

Question: Are pangolins legal to own in California?

Answer: Pangolins are heavily trafficked and zoos struggle to keep them live. No one has them. If they did, they'd be illegal in CA.

Question: Tin can I own a jellyfish in California?

Reply: Yes.

Question: If I live in California tin can I own a Vulture?

Answer: No.

Question: Can I ain a possum in California?

Answer: No.

Question: Are regular snakes legal in California?

Answer: Nigh snakes are legal in CA with the exception of venomous snakes.

Question: Can you ain a hedgehog in California?

Answer: No, not legally.

Question: If I alive in California can I have a mouse lemur as a pet?

Answer: No way, only no ane has those anyway.

Question: Are bearded dragons legal to ain in California?

Reply: Yes.

Question: Can I own a skunk in California?

Answer: No, CA has some of the harshest exotic mammal laws and skunks are illegal in most states.

... on September 03, 2020:

Can I legally own a hawk in Santa Barbara?

Ghost on September 02, 2020:

yes Anonymous y'all can own a chinchilla and Chicken no hermit venereal are not illegal in California and That Guy distressing only you tin't have a southern African rock that is a very ambitious snake and Omar you can't have an hawkeye but you can have a red tail hawk in California but you only need to go to training

Chicken on August 25, 2020:

Are hermit venereal illegal in California?

That Guy on August 24, 2020:

Can I have an Southern African Rock as a pet in California?

pDub on August 23, 2020:

tin can bear witness anyone the dark web if they desire an animal that is illegal in their land for whatever bullshit reason.

Tilly on August 12, 2020:

It makes a lot of sense that you can take a monitor lizard merely not a hedgehog

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on August 06, 2020:

Robyn Sharrar: No.

Omar on Baronial 02, 2020:

Can I get a eagle As a pet in Cali

Melissa A Smith (writer) from New York on July 31, 2020:

Miles Norwood: All full blooded exotic cats are illegal in CA.

Melissa A Smith (writer) from New York on July 26, 2020:

Emus are legal in California.

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on July 26, 2020:

KUzpO: Any species that is Federally legal.

Anonymous on July 20, 2020:

tin you lot own a chinchilla?

Hayleh on July 06, 2020:

Can I own a sloth in the land of California?

Oof on July 04, 2020:

Disappointed how you can have a large ass bird that can peck someone's heart out but y'all tin can't take a monkey

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on June 28, 2020:

Cece: All non-traditional pets plus ferrets.

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on June 27, 2020:

They don't give permits to pet owners because no 1 can be expected to properly care for such a dangerous and high maintenance pet.

KUzpO on June 26, 2020:

which species of macaw can yous own?

Joey on June 23, 2020:

Are racoons and kangaroo legal in California

:P on June 22, 2020:

Can I own a meerkat in LA,California

Cece on June 17, 2020:

Do you lot know what exotic mammals are generally illegal in California?

Henika on June 10, 2020:

This list that California has provided is idiotic. Some of these animals that we tin accept dont make sense. This list needs to be updated.

Ferret lover on June 08, 2020:

Does anyone know how I can become a let to own a ferret?? apparently yous can own i with a permit.

sorry idiot on June 07, 2020:

can't own a ferret, but i can ain a zebra. reasonable.

Daring on June 05, 2020:

uggghhh everything i want is illlegal lol

Ballad on May 26, 2020:

Then I cant own a ferret in Cali but I can own a Bison that could kill me?

skitlzwrath on May 12, 2020:

yep we tin have FRICKIN HUGE COW BULLS but no ferrets...a ferret bites you you lot will probably bleed but thats information technology...a bison bites u ur ded..a ferret steps on you yout alright....but if a bison steps on u ur gone and dead

RIP on May 08, 2020:

THEY LET US HAVE BISONS BUT NOT FRICKIN FERRETS

v on May 07, 2020:

Tin can I own a dingo in Cali?

Oregon Citizen on May 07, 2020:

can you own an octopus in oregon i deceit notice any affair about this discipline

Vannessa on May 06, 2020:

This sucks i wanted a regular fox why do rhey keep bison but non foxes

Miles Norwood on May 04, 2020:

Can I own a chetah in California. I heard they are considered bottom cats, not bigger cats.

Foxlover911285 on April 28, 2020:

D-mit I WANTED A FOX!!!!!!

AnimalQueen on April 25, 2020:

I desire a wolf or a hybrid true cat

Hoi on Apr 23, 2020:

OH So THEY LET U.s.a. Take AN AMERICAN BISON But Not FENNEC FOXES?? Those animals are inquisitorial and can not harm humans ;-;

WalmartGod on April 13, 2020:

um i want an elephant.....:(

Idk on April 07, 2020:

Can you own a finnegan play a trick on in California ?

Idk on April 07, 2020:

Tin you owe a meerkat in Cali?

grand on April 04, 2020:

tin can you own a monkey in cali

Mr. Irish potato Head on April 02, 2020:

Oh... And then THEY Allow US Have OSTRICHES But NOT HEDGEHOGS AND FERRETS, THIS MAKES NO SENSE!!!???!??!?!?!?!!!?!?!!!?

grayson on March 18, 2020:

my friend has a tarantula

jocelyn on March 12, 2020:

are alpacas legal as pets in california?

Gabriel on March 10, 2020:

Can I ain a scarlet macaw in California!?

Gavin on March 01, 2020:

Can I own a monkey in California?

Cali sucks at present on February 04, 2020:

I wanted to get a fob kit or babe hedgehog but at present looks like cali wont allow me to own one...i thought we were in America!?!?

leah wilson on January 12, 2020:

can yous own a raccoon in the state of California

somebody that loves animals on Dec xxx, 2019:

We Tin can Own OSTRICHES YET WE CANT Own HEDGEHOGS?!

Weeboy on December 09, 2019:

I wonder if yous tin go on a rhinoceros as a pet in California

Robyn Sharrar on Dec 05, 2019:

Can you own A Canadian lynx-cross or a bobcat-cantankerous in CA?

AmberFang on November 29, 2019:

Can you own a Hedgehog or a skunk? What about a roe deer?

Ferret on Nov 25, 2019:

Can y'all ain a meerkat in Cali?

Eliana Gonzales on November 18, 2019:

I really wish u tin can accept monkeys in Cali cuz that'southward my dream pet since I was v. I wanted to have a monkey cuz i e'er saw these YT vids of people that have monkeys. As I grew upwards when I was in 3rd form nosotros did biographies about Jane Goodall who loves chimpanzees! I fell in love with chimps and monkeys!❤️ ❤️

Aurora on November x, 2019:

Can you own a pet peacock

I hope your are having a practiced day on November 06, 2019:

Can I have a fob equally a pet?

Mary Jane Chavez on November 03, 2019:

You tin take a big camel, you can have a zebra, yous can have a ostrich, you can have a boa constrictor just you can't take a small monkey or a pocket-size ferret. Does not make whatever sense to me. At that place are alot of infant monkeys that are abandoned by their mothers. I only don't sympathise the laws hither in California

Cloudyy on Nov 02, 2019:

We tin can take bison, zebra, camel, etc only nosotros cant have a hedgehog or ferret

Secret on September 25, 2019:

I want a monkey

Ghost on September 22, 2019:

Tin i ain a pygmy marmoset in los angeles

Claria on August 28, 2019:

Can I ain a Fennec Fox in California?

Bog on Baronial 10, 2019:

They actually should legalize the hedgehog and the ferret, all the other states are doing fine!

Manny on July 31, 2019:

Tin I own a squirrel?

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on June 22, 2019:

Republicans take pushed bans too. In my state, they take sponsored a ban bill.

Jay on June 20, 2019:

Can you lot own a deer in the California or some other role of the United states?

Mark McNulty on June 19, 2019:

If you're upset that you cant have a certain fauna as a pet, stop voting for your democrat tyrannical masters, they thrive on banning fun. Republicans and certainly Libertarians are far more probable to listen to reason and allow freedom.

bob on May 17, 2019:

can i own a coatii

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on May 09, 2019:

Matthew, yes.

Matthew on April 30, 2019:

And then I am legally allowed to take a pet snake (Corn Snake) as a pet in California.

Sammy on Apr 29, 2019:

Why can't I have a ferret

jonathan on April 27, 2019:

Camels wow in that location legal

Jimm on April 02, 2019:

How much snakes can I own in California

bob on March 25, 2019:

can i ain a kinkajou in California?

billy on March 18, 2019:

can i own an axolotl

Tyler Brandt on March 13, 2019:

Can i own a sugar glider in California

Dk on March 03, 2019:

tin can I own a Mink in California?

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on February 28, 2019:

Kb- NO

Kb on February 28, 2019:

Can I own an anteater in California

Kb on Feb 28, 2019:

Can I own a ferret or a weasel or a alpaca or a Savannah cat in California?

Lily on February 21, 2019:

Why are you non able to own ferret in ca but you are immune to own a damn zebra.

Facebook on February 21, 2019:

UMIDIGI A3 Pro Smartphone Global Band - The states$108.99 Sales Online gold - Tomtop

Central on December 02, 2018:

Can I ain a weasal and bushbaby​in california?

Kenna on Nov twenty, 2018:

Tin you own a bushbaby

Aditya_reptile_collector on October 25, 2018:

What are the types of snakes y'all tin can own in california.

Pepita Junaita Michael on October xx, 2018:

can you take a pet ant

T.one thousand.i on September 27, 2018:

Can you own a hedgehog??

Noah on Baronial 18, 2018:

Are Emus aloud in California? Like... Why are peacocks aloud and non emus. Unles if they are aloud?

Anthony on July 20, 2018:

Can you lot ain another blazon of flim-flam in California

nikki on June 28, 2018:

can you have a wolfdog in california?

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on March 04, 2018:

Unless y'all mean Fingerlings the toy no, all primates are illegal. Finger monkeys don't really exist though.

Madison Clark on March 03, 2018:

In California can you own a finger monkey?

AP on December 18, 2017:

Quaker parakeets aren't actually invasive. They were banned in many states because they are agronomical pests in their native range, because they naturalize well in cities which led to a fear they would become invasive, and because their nests cause issues.

Nonetheless they accept never become established exterior of their native range in non-urban habitats, they don't pose a threat to native species. Many jurisdictions still hate them because of the nests, simply that's a problem for humans, not our native birds.

Furthermore, the quaker populations in the U.s.a. were all established by wild imports. There is admittedly no risk of captive-bred pet quakers establishing colonies in California; the ban is as misguided and absurd as theirs ban on gerbils and slightly more than absurd than their infamous ban on ferrets.

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on Dec 01, 2017:

Yeah.

kim on Nov 29, 2017:

can i accept a monitor lizard in Due north Carolina

california damn on Nov 24, 2017:

woah woah woah. hold upward. You tin have a bison, a fricking ostrich, and a (I retrieve) poisonous behemothic lizard. Merely yous tin can't have a hedgehog?! What the f California?

Unknown User on November 22, 2017:

You can go on all these dangerous animals but you cant go on a lemur, wth?

Melissa A Smith (author) from New York on November 19, 2017:

jordan peters Probably

jordan peters on November 01, 2017:

are alpacas legal pets in california if you have a adept home for one?

seriously wtf on Oct 25, 2017:

so... you lot tin own a bison, zebra, and a camel... only if y'all ain a fennec play tricks they kill information technology. cali wtf

Mewmi on Baronial 17, 2017:

Why are crows/ravens illegal though, they are and then smart and beautiful. True, ravens might get too big, so the same reason that we tin can't have hawks, simply crows are like the aristocracy of city birds. Pigeons are the common homo and doves are the "royals" (all bear witness and footling mind.) I'yard sure some people like pigeons, doves, budgies, and keeps, but I personally consider them the goldfish of pets. A living decoration at worst, at best a overnice background racket.

However, parrots are expensive just to obtain and will likely outlive the owner, meaning they are a MUCH MUCH bigger commitment. A crow would be the perfect in-betwixt for me.

CatSquid on August 03, 2017:

How can we have American Bison.... but non hedgehogs... WHY UNIVERSE WHY!

Anyways very good info

Unknown girl on July 26, 2017:

I'thou looking for a pet that'south legal in California, a good size and doesn't olfactory property. I don't desire something with fur crusade it will smell only my mom is agape of animals with scales. So I need something like a sugar glider simply doesn't stink!!

Joe blow on June 27, 2017:

Hey tin you lot accept a hyena in California

Source: https://pethelpful.com/exotic-pets/Exotic-Pets-Legal-California

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